Gallivan Center improvements include money for indoor toilets

Coming soon to the Gallivan Center — indoor plumbing.

Permanent restrooms will replace portable toilets as soon as next summer as part of a planned $5.8 million renovation of the John W. Gallivan Utah Center.

On Tuesday, architects presented to the Salt Lake City Council conceptual drawings of the proposed makeover, including plans for a new two-story building along 200 South to house bathrooms, banquet facilities, plaza security and the ice skating rental office.

Other proposed changes include expansion of the amphitheater, as well as a larger, at-grade ice skating area, allowing the space to be used for other events during spring and summer months.

City officials say the attendance and demand for events at the Gallivan Center have outgrown the current plaza, particularly during summer concerts in the amphitheater. The renovations would nearly double the amphitheater's current capacity of 1,000, said Thomas Brennan of EDA Architects.

"We're looking at ways to modify the plaza to better support the ongoing activities and programs there," Brennan said.

They're also looking at repairing problems that have surfaced since the Gallivan Center was built in phases between 1993 and '98, such as the slow drainage on the grassy area near the amphitheater.

Then there's the aviary that hasn't housed a bird in about five years and the sunken chess board taking up valuable open space but not being used, Brennan said.

The City Council, acting as the board of directors for the city's Redevelopment Agency, was mostly supportive of the plan, though some members questioned the placement of the new building on 200 South.

The building and the relocation of the ice rink to the east side of the plaza would make it difficult for pedestrians or motorists on 200 South to see the ice skating and other views that attract people to the plaza, said Councilman Luke Garrott.

"I'm really worried about obscuring views into the plaza," Garrott said. "I think that would be a big mistake."

As proposed, the building would be between 40 percent and 60 percent transparent, allowing the skating rink to be seen from portions of 200 South, Brennan said.

The RDA board withheld its final approval on the drawings and asked the architects to explore ways to minimize the building's impact on views into the plaza.

"This is a very important piece of property," said Councilman Eric Jergensen, chairman of the RDA board. "Some of the most important activities we have in our city are on this piece of real estate."

The RDA has been putting money aside for about four years in preparation for the renovation. The goal is to get the renovations under way as soon as possible, Jergensen said.

"We'd love to have it under construction and available for late summer next year," he said.

The Gallivan Center hosts more than 300 events a year, including festivals, receptions and weddings.

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com